Welcome to AI for Lifelong Learners. Today we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming our creative and professional lives. I'm your host, Tom.
In the studio with me is Sam Lipman, a highly innovative composer and educator at the University of Texas who recently made waves with his concerto for trumpet and orchestra performed by the Austin Symphony, featuring the brilliant Ephraim Owens and the amazing Gifton Jelen from New York City.
What caught my attention during the pre-concert lecture questions were not just about Sam's innovative composition, the audience had many questions about the impact of AI – that is something I'd never witnessed at a classical music event. It speaks volumes about how AI has permeated every creative field, even those steeped in tradition.
Sam brings a unique perspective as both a composer and a professor at the Department of Arts and Entertainment Technologies at UT, where he recently pioneered a groundbreaking course on AI in music production. In Austin's forward-thinking culture that is known for embracing innovation, Sam is helping shape how the next generation of artists will engage with AI technologies.
Today, we'll explore Sam's experiences teaching this experimental course, the ethical questions his students grappled with, and how he envisions AI transforming music creation and production.
Interview summary
Developed for UT Austin's AET department for students not fitting traditional career tracks
Rebranded traditional music theory as "AI in music" to appeal to the administration
The curriculum covers AI foundations, history, copyright issues, and applications
Balances theoretical discussions with hands-on music creation
Ethics and legal aspects
Strong emphasis on copyright issues through mock trials
Students argued whether AI companies should use copyrighted training material
Highlighted disparity: traditional media pays for music while AI companies use it freely
Prediction: AI companies will eventually pay for copyrighted training materials
AI music tools and applications
Students presented various AI music tools to classmates
Covered composition tools, production tools (GAWs), and post-production tools
Used free tools to avoid additional student costs
Revealed limitations in AI music generation (predominantly 4/4 time with predictable progressions)
AI's creative limitations
AI cannot predict music trends or create truly innovative music
Inherent "lag" in relevance due to training in older music
Cannot replicate the "ridiculous accidents" driving musical innovation
Students discovered gaps between creative vision and AI capabilities
Personal AI usage
Primarily used for administrative tasks rather than creative work
Helpful for structuring plans, writing professional emails, reviewing contracts
Generated background music for client project using Suno
Used for marketing campaigns and promotional materials
Compensates for personal skill gaps in administration and planning
As background:
Composer Sam Lipman and trumpeter Ephraim Owens sit down with Dianne Donovan on KMFA to talk about the Austin jazz scene, where classical and jazz blend, and Sam and Ephraim's upcoming performance with the Austin Symphony Orchestra. February 2025.
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